Portable target stand



Aug. 11, 1959 H. E. RATAY PORTABLE TARGET STAND Filed May 9, 1956' INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. R4 my 2,899,204 Patented Aug. 11, 1959 PORTABLE TARGET sr Harold E. Ratay, Chula Vista, Calif.

Application May 9, 1956, Serial No. 583,768

-1 Claim. (Cl. 273-402) This invention relates generally to practice targets for use in improving marksmanship and more particularly to a portable target stand.

Heretoforc it has been quite common for marksmen to improvise practice targets by use, for example, of boxes, bottles, signs, trees, and other objects conveniently at hand. In addition to such practice frequently resulting in damage to property, it also has the disadvantage of failing to improve marksmanship for the reason that such improvised targets fail to provide target conditions wh1ch prevail when shooting at an actual target.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a knockdown, i.e., readily disassembled, portable target stand comprising simple structural elements which are readily compacted for portage and readily assembled at a safe site for practice firing. The stand is constructed and arranged to suspend a target plate therefrom for free swinging movement sufficient to indicate a hit, i.e., a bulls eye at the proper range in accordance with the diameter of the target.

The invention also contemplates provision of target plates of various shapes and formed of various materials to produce different effects such, for example, as the characteristic ringing of a steel target plate when it is hit by a bullet.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved means for improving marksmanship.

It is also an object to provide a practice target suitable for ready use by hunters, sportsmen, police ofiicers, and others desiring use of a substantial target.

Another object is to provide a portable practice stand of the aforedescribed character which may be readily compacted for luggage across rugged terrain if need be to a suitable firing site and simply assembled without time consuming or tedious effort or complicated installation.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are those inherent in or implied from the novel combination, structure, and arrangement of parts as best exemplified by the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter to be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of target stand;

Fig. 2 is an end view; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a modified form of the stand.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 shows a target stand of the three legged type. Legs 11 and 12 are inverted L-shaped tubular members frictionfitted into the ends of T-shaped member 13. Leg 14 is inserted into the third opening of the T. Steel plate 16 may be of any convenient or desired size or shape and is suspended from steel cable, wire, or chain 17 connected by eye-bolts 18 to the top part of legs 11 and 12. A bullet trap may be used instead of plate 16, if desired.

Legs 11 and 12 are spaced forward to permit plate 16 to be suspended in front of leg 14 and to permit the stand to be used in rough terrain. Plastic or rubber tips 19 as shown in Fig. 2 may be used to frictionally engage the ground to prevent the legs from spreading if desired, although such usually is not necessary. Plate 16, when struck with a bullet, will deflect the bullet and prevent it striking leg 14 causing damage or target stand movement. Plate 16 will give a distinct ring and its swinging motion when struck makes a bulls eye easily identified by the marksman.

Fig. 3 shows a modified version in which a fourth leg 14A and an inverted U-shaped or double-T shaped member 13A is used. This may be of one integral piece of tubular member or may be two sections of member 13 fastened together, such as by inserting a peg into the adjacent ends thereof. The use of a second rear leg 14A gives the stand greater stability and may be used particularly when the stand is placed on a flat surface. As shown in Fig. 3, plate 16 is suspended from the upper end portions of legs 11 and 12 by means of loops there over formed in suspension members 17.

While the preferred form of construction of the legs is tubular in cross-section, the legs may also be made of heavy gauge wire. Legs 11 and 12 may be separate or may be integrally jointed to form a single inverted U-shaped member. While these and other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

A portable knockdown target stand assembly self supporting on the surface of the ground and adjustable for irregular terrain, comprising a metal target plate, a target base including a plurality of legs one of which is tiltable with respect to the others and connecting means individually friction-fitted therewith for positioning said legs on the ground in spaced relationship, and a pair of spaced flexible cables connected respectively to a pair of said legs adjacent said connecting means and respectively connected to said target plate at peripherally spaced points thereon whereby the target plate is suspended within the plane of said cables for free swinging movement from the top of said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,530 Wallace Dec. 9, 1902 1,579,004 Kolinski Mar. 30, 1926 1,666,336 Mallard Apr. 17, 1928 2,039,552 Reynolds May 5, 1936 2,085,933 Vaughan July 6, 1937 2,372,111 Norberg Mar. 20, 1945 2,722,420 Adamson Nov. 1, 1955 

